Five Wings Arts Council

Five Wings Arts Council Our job: TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF THE ARTS! We serve Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, Wadena Counties, and the Leech Lake Tribal Community.

The Five Wings Art Council is one of eleven Regional Arts Councils in Minnesota that provides grants and services to artists and nonprofit organizations anproviding arts experiences in their community. We facilitate and encourage local arts development through the funding of arts projects and services. Grant programs include:
Community Arts Access Project Grant:
Grants up to $5,000 are available

to nonprofit organizations (of Minnesota's Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties and Leech Lake Tribal Community) to either produce or sponsor an arts activity. Grants are awarded based upon artistic quality, relevance to teh community its serves and ability of the applicant to carry out the activity. Note: Community Education departments should use this application (not the Schools Arts Project application). Small Grants:
One-time grants available to arts organizations, community groups, and schools (of Minnesota's Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties and Leech Lake Tribal Community) to sponsor an arts activity. School Arts Project Grants:
Grants up to $5,000 are available to public schools (of Minnesota's Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties and Leech Lake Tribal Community) to supplement the arts education already being provided to area students. Project examples include, but are not limited to artist residencies, arts education field trips,and other non-curriculum arts activities. Note: Community Education departments should use the Community Arts Access Project Grant application. General Operating Support:
Unrestricted operating and capital grants are available to established nonprofit arts organizations (of Minnesota's Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties and Leech Lake Tribal Community) to help strengthen and stabilize their operations, allowing them to provide the best possible service to the arts. Grants are awarded based upon artistic quality, commitment to community access, and current stability of the organization. Please call the Five Wings Arts Council office before applying to verify eligibility. Project Incorporation Support:
Provides financial support and technical assistance to community arts groups (of Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass and Crow Wing Counties of Minnesota) as they pursue IRS 501 (c) 3 charitable status. Arts-Based Community Development (ABCD) Grants:
This grant program is designed to incorporate the arts to address a specific community issue or need, with the applicant organization partnering with at least one other community organization. Arts-based community development happens when artists, arts organizations, and community development practitioners integrate arts and culture to address issues facing the community—placing arts at the table with health/human services, agriculture/food, economic development, environment/open spaces, housing, land use, transportation, youth development, public safety, immigration/social justice, civic participation, and/or community cohesion. In this field of work, artists, designers, arts organizations, and community leaders collaborate on innovative projects that help build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors within the community. Successful arts-based community development projects reflect local partnerships, local impact, and careful project planning. The Arts-Based Community Development (ABCD) grant program is open to any nonprofit 501c3 organization, organization, or group without nonprofit designation but using a 501c3 fiscal agent, school, or local government entity serving Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and/or Wadena Counties. Grants are available for up to $7,500, with at least a 25% cash match provided by the applicant organization(s). Cash matches can be cash reserves, money acquired through donations, sponsorships, earned income, or grants from other organizations. ABCD funds are provided through a general fund appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature and Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Application Deadline: ONGOING
Applications are accepted on an ONGOING basis until funds are depleted. To learn more about the ABCD grant program please read the Guidelines for Art-Based Community Development grants. Individual Artist Grants:
Artists can apply for up to $3000 to help complete a project focused on their individual artistic and /or professional development goals within their artistic discipline. As a result of this grant funding, the artist will be able to achieve one or more of the following:
-overcome a barrier to significant, long-term success

-professionalize or increase artistic output and quality

-strengthen artistry or art career skills and knowledge

-complete a project that marks a milestone in his/her career

-reach a new community or market

Artists must be 18 years old and have been a resident of Artists can apply for up to $3000 to help complete a project focused on their individual artistic and /or professional development goals within their artistic discipline. As a result of this grant funding, the artist will be able to achieve one or more of the following:

-overcome a barrier to significant, long-term success

-professionalize or increase artistic output and quality

-strengthen artistry or art career skills and knowledge

-complete a project that marks a milestone in his/her career

-reach a new community or market

Artists must be 18 years old and have been a resident of Cass, Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison, or Wadena counties or Leech Lake Tribal Community for at least 6 months. Artists of any discipline can apply, including but not limited to; visual, performing, literacy, and media arts. Sorry, we can’t fund culinary or horticultural artists. Artists at any stage of their career can apply as long as they can share work samples to demonstrate the quality of their artwork. Funds can be used to purchase supplies, equipment, tools, professional services, time, etc. Call FWAC Staff at 218-895-5660 before applying. See Grant Guidelines at fwac.org for more details.

Calling all artists! License plate design contest!
08/13/2026

Calling all artists! License plate design contest!

It’s time for a new Minnesota State Parks and Trails license plate design! 🚗🌲

Minnesota State Parks and Trails is hosting a license plate design contest to celebrate state parks, state trails, the North Shore and the Lake Superior Agate. The new design will join the current specialty license plate as an option to support the state parks – and just like the current plate, will provide free entry to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.

Read on for more contest details:

• Designs must celebrate the North Shore and the Lake Superior agate, as determined by the Minnesota Legislature in 2026. Designs celebrating the region can draw inspiration from waterfalls, forests, wildlife, unique geology or other natural features and recreational experiences found throughout the North Shore landscape, which can be easily accessed from state parks, trails and other public lands.

• All designs must be created without the use of artificial intelligence, as mandated by the Minnesota Legislature.

• This contest is open to all Minnesota residents. One person may submit multiple entries.

• You can begin working on your designs now! We will begin accepting designs online this fall, from Sept. 15 through Oct 31. Watch for updates in the fall.

• Make sure you read and understand the full contest rules by going to mndnr.gov/parksplate/contest

Know someone who should participate in the license plate design contest? Share this post with them!

08/13/2026

Write in the Gallery is happening tomorrow starting at 1:30pm

08/13/2026

Music makes you HAPPY! Making music with other musicians makes you REALLY HAPPY! Come be REALLY REALLY HAPPY at the WDC HS band room starting September 8th at 7:00 p.m. All instruments welcome, even cowbell! :)

08/13/2026

📣 We're hiring our new Executive Director!

Kaddatz Galleries is looking for a leader ready to build on our momentum in downtown Fergus Falls, right in the heart of a thriving local arts scene spanning music, theater, dance, and literary arts alongside our visual arts programming.

You'll work hand in hand with an engaged, growth-minded Board to shape our strategic direction and launch new exhibit and education initiatives. Full-time, competitive salary and benefits.

🚨Inquiries are due August 18 - if you've been thinking about applying, now's the time!

➡Full position description: kaddatzgalleries.org/employment.html
Send a resume and cover letter to Kaddatz Galleries, Inc., 111 W. Lincoln Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537, Attn: Carolyn Glesne, or email [email protected]. No phone calls, please.

08/13/2026

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your afternoon? Join us on Wednesday, August 12 at the St. Francis Music Center for two exciting activities for all ages!

🎶 Music Bingo | 4:00-4:30 PM
Test your knowledge of music symbols and terms while playing for treats and prizes. Stop in for a quick game or stay for the entire session!

🎨 Symphony Watercolor Painting | 5:00-5:45 PM
Listen to beautiful music like Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and create abstract watercolor art inspired by the tempo, rhythm, and mood of the music.

All musicians, artists, and curious learners are welcome!

[email protected] | (320) 632-0637

08/13/2026

Fall Dance season is almost here! Our schedule is officially out, and we can't wait to dance with you. Click the link below to register your little dancer today!

Have questions? Call (320) 632-0637 or email: [email protected]

https://sfmusiccenter.org/big-changes

08/13/2026
08/13/2026

Get your paddles ready for the upcoming Mississippi River History Paddle - this upcoming Saturday

08/13/2026

There is still time to sign up for our upcoming theatre camp!

Address

PO Box 118/121 4th Street NE
Staples, MN
56479

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12188955660

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